If you've had any other Coronado beers (and as an aside, I've only seemed to come across them on tap in a specific relatively small area of bars just north of Market St in Philly - strange), the hop characters in this one fall right in line with their other brews.

Here, though it says "schwarzbier" above and the bar menu where I had this said "porter", I couldn't help thinking this came across like some of the domestic dry stouts I've had. Yeah, actually it does follow the rough outline of a schwarzbier, but whatever.

Coal black and topped with a foamy, rocky tan head - slow fade and some nice lace. Piney, earthy hop aromas against a subtle charcoal, molasses underbelly. Light-medium shot of caramel and cookie malt flavor, super low and mellow on any roasted/burnt tastes. The body is pretty spot on - clean and surprisingly refreshing, a soft grainy texture, hardly thin though I'd like the malt a little more rounded and showcased against the bitterness. The hops carry all the way through and I'm left feeling like the bitterness of any roasted/black malt has been wonderfully woven into the bitterness and flavors of those hops.

I've liked each Coronado beer I've had so far. This might be my favorite, slightly ahead of the Orange Ave Wit. They're not unique, per se, but just well made.

Poured from a growler into an indian wells pint glass. Topped with a cafe mocha colored head which leaves great lacing and dissipates moderately to a thin film that remains intact. The body is dark, like a deep brown to black just without the density of an imperial.

The scents are dark and biscuity, I get some great dark bready smell from a huge roasted malt presence and even a bit of some smoky wood in there. Some coffee which is balanced by some flavoring hops quite nicely to refresh the nostrils.

The flavor profile is great, it's smooth and sweet in the beginning lightened by a nice amount of carbonation and refreshing hops. The middle flavors are a nice roasted coffee and malty molasses that slides down easy. The aftertaste gives your palate a smokey woodiness that grounds the brew in a nice earthiness.

The mouthfeel is perfect and actually quite light for the coloring of the brew which I like a lot. It's not overpoweringly thick or anything, this is one of those dark refreshing brews.

The drinkability is great, it's smooth mouthfeel and sweet body flavoring give you a great reason to move to the next taste and the aftertaste smoked wood leaves me with something to enjoy as well. I'm a huge fan but I could definitely see why some wouldn't like this brew beacuse of that more pungent smoked aftertaste. Good thing I'm not reviewing it for them!

One pint served at the Coronado Brewery. Color is opaque black-brown with very little head. No lace at all results. Lots of dark malt caramel aroma with a bit of smokiness. Taste is more porter than schwarzbier, while there is plenty of bittersweet chocolate and coffee notes, I don't get the hoppy bitterness I'd expect from the style. Mouthfeel is medium, maybe a touch toward the heavy. A very enjoyable brew, but not what I was expecting. I would have rated it higher if it were a porter.